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Despotic: meaning, definitions and examples

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despotic

 

[ dɪˈspɒtɪk ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

in politics

Exercising absolute power in a cruel or oppressive way.

Synonyms

authoritarian, autocratic, dictatorial, tyrannical

Examples of usage

  • The despotic ruler arrested anyone who dared to speak out against him.
  • The despotic regime suppressed any form of dissent among the population.
Context #2 | Adjective

in a relationship

Exercising control over someone in an unreasonable or oppressive way.

Synonyms

controlling, domineering, oppressive, tyrannical

Examples of usage

  • His despotic behavior towards his partner led to the breakdown of their relationship.
  • She felt suffocated by his despotic demands and decided to end the relationship.

Translations

Translations of the word "despotic" in other languages:

🇵🇹 despótico

🇮🇳 तानाशाही

🇩🇪 despotisch

🇮🇩 despotik

🇺🇦 деспотичний

🇵🇱 despotyczny

🇯🇵 専制的 (せんせいてき)

🇫🇷 despotique

🇪🇸 despótico

🇹🇷 despotik

🇰🇷 전제적인 (jeonjejeog-in)

🇸🇦 استبدادي

🇨🇿 despotický

🇸🇰 despotický

🇨🇳 专制的 (zhuānzhì de)

🇸🇮 despotičen

🇮🇸 despótískur

🇰🇿 деспоттық

🇬🇪 დესპოტური

🇦🇿 despotik

🇲🇽 despótico

Etymology

The word 'despotic' originates from the Greek word 'despotikos', which means 'lordly' or 'masterful'. It entered the English language in the late 16th century to describe a ruler or person who exercises absolute power. Over time, 'despotic' has come to also refer to oppressive or tyrannical behavior in various contexts.

See also: despotically, despotism.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #16,143, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.